Da Moon Rulez #1

Ch-ch-check it out - The moon is supposed to be crazy big tonight. A full moon is coinciding with point in its elliptical orbit that is closest to the Earth.

News?

Actual headline this morning:
"Cops: Suspected Illegals Plotted Kidnap of Texas Corn Dog Scion"

FOX news, always on the ball. This headline is good for a few reasons. First, its ridiculous - Corn Dog Scion? Is this the best story you've got this morning? Second, its all hearsay anyways. They aren't illegals, they're suspected illegals. And they didn't actually kidnap the C.D.S., they were only plotting to.

So for me, basically, this story could have read this: "Possible Illegal Immigrants Thought About Kidnapping Someone I Don't Give A Rat's Ass About."

In other news - I was trying to make up my own OnionNews-like headline this morning and this is what rolled off my tounge: "Area Man Has Second Thoughts About His Bologna Sandwich"

PA

ahahahahahahahahahahaha....

I saw the story they mention in this comic earlier, and thought to myself, "what the hell is Barack Obama doing with a Zune? I figured he was cooler and smarter than that." Now, I'm not sure what BO actually does listen to, but I figure that if I can trust him with nukes, I can trust him to make a smart choice in .mp3 players, too. Its still funny that somebody else felt let down that BO has a Zune, too. I suppose that's better press that we'd found out that he used a 'jailbroken' iPhone.

Cashes Rivers

Cashes and I recently played Scented Vinyl, a local recording session meets band interview meets playing your favorite songs on vinyl plus 5 songs performed live.  

 It was a really cool experience, and the host, Dan Bosman, is one of the coolest guys I know.  Good taste in music, motivated to do his best to influence and promote local music in an area with tons of great local talent... that no one seems to care about.  Nobody would to go to a local show that wasn't the Nadas.  That's started to change in the past 2 years, and Dan's had a pretty big hand in that.   Plus he's just an all-around nice guy.

Cashes' sister made a quick trip out for the show, and she recorded most of the show.  Here's links to the videos I played on:

Atoms

When It Rains

The Future comes to Des Moines...

later than the rest of the country.

3G, the high-speed network used by smart phones, has finally come to DSM. Its only on in the Downtown and West DSM areas so far, still getting steady on its feet, but its here! I still have a few dead spots in the building I work in due to its size and being construction type 6 (Fire-Resistive, don't see to many of those. They're usually just CS 4 / Masonry Non-Combustible, but that's another blog). We move next door to an even newer building next month, so I'm hoping I'll get better reception in there. Its the only place so far in the Metro that I don't get service in.

FRANK RIZZO!

There was a pretty funny story today in the news - a FL congresswoman hung up on Obama. Twice.

She'd heard radio stations 'punk-ing' high-profile people before and assumed this was another prank call. Afterwards, Obama's team had to find someone who knew her, call him, have him call her, she made her friend answer an inside joke to verify his identity, then had to call the Obama offices back saying, "if he still wants to talk to me, I swear I won't hang up on him again."

I just really like this guy. His response was basically 'well Ileana, at least you'll know I'll never forget you now. Plus Michelle loves to pinch my ego, so this will give her enough material for awhile. Anyways, about Cuba....'

This is how Wii do it.

This article is pretty interesting. I've noticed before that both Sony and Microsoft never ever mention Nintendo as being a competitor. This most recent press release by Microsoft gloating over the Xbox 360's performance this quarter is the most telling. M$ is claiming that the Wii isn't a direct competitor, and Sony's CEO says that its an "expensive niche game device." That its not a true 'game console.'
Well, here's why they don't want to be compared to the Wii. Its SCHOOLING both of them. The Wii has very nearly outsold both the 360 and the PS3 combined.
Ouch.

Guest Blogger: Pablo Eskimobar

Hey Everyone! I'm someone who gets to spend 8-4:30 everyday with Caboose at his desk - his faithful stress-penguin, Pablo Eskimobar. Work recently took us on a 4-day work trip. Its kept Caboose busy, but I've been documenting MY trip for his readers.

Here I am testing out my King-Suite bed. It was a little big, but hey, I'm not footing the bill....

Here I am using the free toiletries. I filled up the sink with cold water and filled it with complimentary ice cubes to make it feel like home. I also stole a few of the soaps. These sheets check out. Can't be too careful in a strange bed. Could be a sealion hiding out in one....

I shouldn't have mentioned sealions.... now I can't get to sleep.

Here I am actually in the Gainesville office. I just got done with a 2 hour long meeting, and as you can see, all the standard work items were there: free bagels and cream cheese, ergo chairs, phones, laptops, iteneraries, and enough hand sanitizer to swim in. I didn't stage this picture at all, just jumped in the frame. And that's all I had time to document! I'm sure Caboose will be caught up in a few days and return to blogging. Keep on chillin!

-Pablo

Safe-Haven revised

I was wondering when they'd get around to this. Nebraska's Safe Haven law was different from every other state in that they didn't include an age limit - they only used the word "child" leaving the door open for any parent to anonymously drop off any kid under the age of 18 with no strings attached. A law which had good intentions was being horribly abused, and I was waiting for Nebraska to change that wording. It took longer than expected, but they're finally going to adopt new verbiage to include only children less than 30 days old.

Its good that they finally addressed this, as Nebraska was becoming the punchline for the entire country. For example - Roscommon and I got sucked in to watching ER last night and one parent (jokingly) said to their 17-year old "Keep it up! I swear to God I'll drop you off in Omaha!" We both looked at each other and said ".....ouch."

America's non-violent revolution

History was made last night. The first African-American President. The first President born in Hawaii. The first time in years that I've been proud of my country. (yes, I said it. Worse - I meant it.) I've been ashamed of our foreign policy and our President for a long time, and was amazed that he was re-elected. There seemed to be so much ignorance and false knowledge, so little political and social awareness. We elected a blunt instrument to bash things for us. Ironically, like a political Britney Spears, Bush did exactly what everyone seemed to know he would, then we hated and berated him for it.
But this is the meaning behind the HOPE slogan of this campaign - that we don't have to see the worst in people, that we can rise above petty arguments and bigotry and FIX THIS SHITHOLE we've dug for ourselves. For EVERYBODY. The soft spoken older man (Democrat I think) who's always on the CNN panels said the main comment that sticks in my head. I paraphrase:
Think of the difference in the world's perception of us which just occurred. In the United Nations, we had Bush, a President that wouldn't even stay for other countries responses to his speeches. Someone who was a horrible public speaker and didn't seem to care. Think about the atmosphere in the UN chamber. Now imagine the atmosphere as the President of the United States walks in next year. A black man. An extremely intelligent man. A man who's lived in other countries than the United States. Someone who not only respects and understands our Constitution, he taught classes on it. Inclusive rather than exclusive. How drastic of a change is that?

Maya Angelou had a good interview this morning. Here's a snippet:
"I believe in the heart of every American there's the desire to belong to a great country. And look at it -- not just powerful, not just might, not just things, not consumer goods. I mean, look at our souls, look at our hearts. We have elected a black man to talk for us, to speak for us. We, blacks, whites, Asians, Spanish-speaking, Native Americans, we have done it. Fat, thin, pretty, plain, gay, straight. We have done it! My Lord -- I am an American, baby!"

Why this man?

"Because he's intelligent, Harry. I don't mean intellectually clever, I mean intelligent. I mean what used to be called 'mother wit.' He has common sense that is, I'm sorry to say, most uncommon. Because he knows that, together, we can be somebody. And he is inclusive, as opposed to exclusive. I know that he knows he is the president of every black person, every white person -- he's the president of the bigots, and he must remember that."

Is Barack Obama not the embodiment of the American Dream? A mixed race family, raised without a father, living in several different areas, getting a good education on student loans, then refusing 6-figure salaries to help with community organizing.

I'm still concerned about what the future holds for our country, but for the first time in a long time - I'm optimistic. I have Hope.

Joe? D'Oh!

This was just too funny. I realize that gaffes happen, but this is more than just a gaffe. It's telling. Is this not the perfect microcosm of his slopped together campaign?

Roscommon and I made an observation today as the two presidential candidate were shown giving live speeches in near split screen format - Barack looks, speaks, and acts like a President. He has for months. He's a presidential personality. His campaign is a juggernaut of perfection, spreading his support like a pandemic of Hope. McCain, on his half of the screen, seemed very clunky and awkward stumbling to the podium, bumbling through a non-inspiring speech, literally mocking Barack's ideals and supporters with curt (and I thought extremely rude) laughs after each punchline. He doesn't seem presidential at all. He seems like a petulant old man who doesn't want to be where he is. Then he shows thousands of watchers and supporters why he isn't going to win on Tuesday - his campaign blows. It blows! They 'didn't realize Joe wasn't there until after McCain had gone on' and couldn't tell him in time. Turns out, the McCain campaign only invited Joe several days ago, and never called back to confirm. Nobody noticed? Even when they did, is there no one manning the teleprompter? Wouldn't it be better if a staffer stepped up and whispered to McCain rather than making their candidate look like he didn't know what was going on? I'm personally not surprised. McCain's campaign has been mismanaged from the start pissing away what could have been a VERY strong Republican candidate. Obama's campaign has put on a CLINIC that will be studied for years to come.
Similarly-
-McCain graduated 894th of 899 in his class at the Naval Academy, even though his father was a Navy Admiral.
-Obama was President of the Harvard Law Review and a professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago - the 8th ranked university in the world. What's the first ranked university in the world? Harvard, where he was President of the Harvard Law Review.

I voted today for Barack Obama.



click here to find your polling place and answers to common questions.

"scary smart"

I'm BACK! Been seriously slacking on the blogging due to a new job, band practices, and general laziness.
-----------------------------------------------
The story of the last few days was a 7-year old blurb that Barack Obama had said on a NPR radio show. (WBEZ CHICAGO, where This American Life is from) The 7 second sound byte included a few key words that makes conservatives cringe, but mainly "redistribution of wealth." The clip that was used was a discussion of the Civil Rights era and the role of the courts, so instantly I wondered whether this quote was out of context. I found the whole interview (it was a long one) and I realized something I'd never been able to put my finger on....
Barack Obama reminds me of a college professor of mine. The guy is CRAZY smart. Like, really wicked smart.

There's a plethora of stories and blogs like this one today.

So it's no surprise that many people went back and listened to that interview from 7 years ago, and I think that whoever used that clip to try and scare the conservatives from voting for Obama wishes that they hadn't. Because many more people are finding out that Obama isn't the insane marxist they're trying to paint him as - but what he IS, in fact, is one of the smartest people in politics. His enemies weren't just saying he has a 'first-rate intellect' as flattery. This is somebody who SCHOOLS people.

No, seriously, he was a Constitutional Law professor.

Stoop

Sometimes the world is a sad place. This story, for example. Here's a synopsis:
"A homeless Vietnam veteran is recovering from injuries he sustained during a robbery last week.
64 year old Richard Denise was attacked while he was sleeping behind the Bank of America at 900 W Sample Road in Pompano Beach.
Denise was hit with a wooden board.
The homeless vet had his money and his wheekchair stolen.
BSO reports that Denise has been using the chair since he was wounded during the Vietnam war."

Dang. Stealing wheelchairs from homeless veterans? I'm no saint, but I'm pretty sure that somewhere, God is frowning on whoever did this. Luckily, not everyone in the world is evil. The article ends with some Hope.

"A good samaritan has donated another wheelchair to Richard Denise."

Not Advised

A different kind of bailout.

LOST = my shoes

My brain hurts. But I think that this is the most accurate explanation on what exactly is going on in the TV show LOST. There are a lot of theories out there (a LOT), but I think this one is the best and lines up with what I personally think it going on.

DO NOT READ THE LINK IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE ENTIRE SERIES TO DATE. It will ruin things for you.

Essentially, the entire premise of LOST is a struggle between fate and man's free will. If someone was able to go back in time, knowing what they know, is it possible for that person to change his fate? Or would fate take steps to course-correct events to the same conclusions that the time-traveler left behind?

Cereal Rated

Mia Madre was very strict about which cereals we could have growing up. I remember resenting that other kids had 'better tasting' cereals, but now I don't really even want those cereals. Maybe one of the small variety pack boxes every few months, but not as a keep-in-the-house cereal. Sometimes there is NOTHING better than a bowl of standard yellow box Cheerios with a sliced banana.

As it turns out, Homebase was pretty smart with her cereal choices. We usually had Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Kix, Raisin Bran, or the occasional Life. The top rated cereals were Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Kix, and Life. Good call, Mom. Among the worst rated cereals were Fruit Loops, Smacks, Corn Pops, Cap'n Crunch, and Apple Jacks. (some of my favorites. good thing I didn't buy the cereal)

When TMZ gets even slime-ier

When you think low-lives can't get any lower - they do.

So it was all over the news yesterday about Heather Locklear was arrested for 'driving erratically'. Not sure if she was charged with a DUI or not. Anyways, it came out today that a microcosm of what's wrong with America (read: Paparazzi) who had been following her around was the one who called the police to come arrest her. The paparazzi then photographed her arrest and made a bunch of money. Tipped off her pap friends to the impending arrest.

Now here's the question - do people have a civic duty to rat out drunk drivers? Most people would say yes. But isn't there a conflict of interest here when the informant stands to make a lot of money if Heather was arrested? Which she was. And a lot of money was made. Pretty soon the Paparazzi will be forcing celebrities' cars into medians at high speeds, killing them and then getting paid for pictures of the crash.

....oh wait, that already happened.

Ballin'est $hit Eva!

This is pretty wasteful. Or badass. I can't decide which. If I wasn't looking for a nice used piano right now, I'd probably think this was cooler.

Math

Mt. Dew + toothpaste = Gross mouth.

Hard rain = bad allergies the next day.

Me/Two projects = Busy.

Map Quest

Get used to seeing this map, especially after the last two presidential elections. In 2000, Al Gore won the 'popular vote' but lost the election to George W. Bush. Many people were confused on how more Americans could vote for Gore but have Bush win. That's because America isn't a true democracy, as many people believe. The United States of America is in fact a republic - or a representative democracy at best. Which means the majority does not always rule.
A lot of people cringe at the words 'electoral college'. But its something that every single person should understand if you plan on voting this year. How do you know if its important? Well, it decides who becomes president, not your popular vote. Karl Rove understands the importance of this, and has kept maps updated for this race. (see first link) And Rove has Obama winning as it stands now.

Re-hash

Man, the guy who does XKCD.com is too funny. I know I just had a post on it, but here's another one. Remember my post from back in April about how much YouTube comments suck? Its like there's a sign that says "Are you stupid? Want to type hateful things that don't make sense? Post a comment here!" Seriously, don't read YouTube comments. Your brain will die.

Well, the kid behind XKCD came up with a great idea to stop some of the dumbest comments.

'False Hope'

Had another instance of someone snidely shrugging off Obama's message of 'Hope'. Saying "Yeah, you're young and impressionable." Which made me madder than if he would have slapped me in the face. I didn't miss a beat to reply, "Which makes you what then? Old and cynical? Don't tear me down for being optimistic just because you aren't." Sounds like a more heated exchange than it was. I think they were just conservative, but didn't have any valid arguments to make on policy issues, so they chided me for being a young voter and 'not knowing better.' Hey man, its not my fault you don't know enough to argue the issues. I'll write down your candidate's platform FOR you if you want and come back later to have a legitimate discourse.

"We've been told we cannot do this, by a chorus of cynics, who will only grow louder and more disciplined.
We've been asked to pause for a reality check.
We've been warned against offering the people of this nation 'false hope.'
...But in the unlikely story that is America -
there has never been anything 'false' about hope."
-Barack Obama

XKCD love

Ah, XKCD, you read my mind. I personally hate 'ringtones' that do not actually 'ring.' It's just one of those technological advances that made me go, "Okay, we CAN do it, but why would you WANT to?" It would repetitively play the same 30 seconds of your favorite song in low-fi quality, until you get sick of it. Plus you have the chance of confusing it with actual music. Or it just blends in with the music you're playing and you miss the call. Or it goes off in some inopportune time and you look much stupider than if your phone just rang. I guess it just feels really tacky to me. (Roscommon is going to KILL me when he reads this.)

I think I'm getting old. ...Now where'd I put my Worther's Original hard candies?

**edit** someone at work pointed out that I might just be mad because no one ever calls me. That might be true. Still... ouch. Back to The Cave.

Oh Snap!

Wow. I usually read about ads before I see them, but I saw BOTH these ads yesterday and was so pissed off by McCain's ad that I actually threw something. McCain is racist. Or at least, is playing on racism in this election. Read this blog for all the backstory and links to both ads. McCain's ad repeatedly showed a black businessman who was connected with Fannie Mae and fraud as advising Obama. (many shots of the 'bad black guy') Followed by a shot of a scared old white woman. Nice, McCain. Nice. Not subtle. You're a bad person making the world a worse place, John. Shame on you. Shame.
McCain's ad was called 'Advice' and not even 4 hours later, there was an Obama ad in response. The SAME DAY there was a response, called "Who advises." Obama's ad is one of his best yet. Starts out by showing the McSame ad as an outright lie (something we're used to by now). Then ends by some subtle touches of its own.

Brilliant.


Here's a great breakdown of the 'issues' for each candidate, put together by the BBC, and is the most non-partisan breakdown I've seen. Great primer for the 2008 candidates.

Civil Disobediance

This is great. Republicans lied about (or grossly exaggerated) the number of people at one of their rallies last week. There were 8,000 people. They said 23,000. Oops. That's more than a margin of error. Anyways, they've had to be lenient with their screenings, since they need bodies to show up at these rallies. There most recent stop was in IA City. I was hoping Iowa City would carry the liberal activism banner high (before it was torn from their hands and crumpled up by a staffer). Iowa City did not disappoint.

Things started off great! Palin came out, said she was "thrilled to be in Grand Rapids." Good start. Then while she was introducing McSame, a group of FEMALE protesters held up an anti-war sign and started chanting about womens' rights and anti-war sentiments. The republicants there rallied to their candidate's defense by creatively chanting "USA! USA!" as if that somehow excluded the protesters. If the Mighty Ducks/Team USA are on the ice against Russia, I could understand. I would have started chanting "Aaaacorns, Aaaacorns" just to confuse people. Hey, its not any more pointless than chanting "USA!" at an American activist group. They know where they're from, guys. Thanks though.

Since I'm ranting.... I'm sure everyone's seen by now that someone hacked Sarah Palin's Yahoo email account and posted a few things on the internet site Wikileaks. That's not okay, I'm not condoning cyber-crimes. But a few things were instantly obvious. Palin used her personal email accounts to conduct state business extensively.
GOPers were concerned because its not as secure as the email accounts she's SUPPOSED to be using for state business.
What wasn't said was the REAL REASON she does that. Why anyone does that. Because any emails you send/receive via corporate or governmental email accounts DON'T BELONG TO YOU. They're a matter of record, and for good reason. (say, if someone tried to have their ex- brother-in-law fired. There would be evidence of those misdeeds.)
Personal email accounts are just that. Personal. They're yours. They require a subpoena. You can do some shady stuff and not have a trail.
The Bush Administration did this a ton, and even Republicans said the fact she's already mastered that trick is 'alarming.'

**edit**
Another news site has that stop in Cedar Rapids. I have a feeling that to majority of the country Iowa is Iowa. I just know that some commentor on TV tonight is going to say she gave the speech in a cornfield. Addressing cows.

Troopergate

I had blogged recently about the scandal involving Sarah Palin and her abuse of power while Gov. of Alaska. Some people mentioned that they had not heard about it. Well, its starting to come to light, and it doesn't look good. Even better, Sarah has said she will be 'unlikely to help' in the ethics probe. Furthermore, people in Alaska have reported that the Republican presidential campaign is doing everything in its power (and wallet) to "stall and smear" the investigation.

Here's what happend. Sarah's little sister is involved in a rough divorce and child custody battle with her ex-husband, a state trooper. Sarah Palin requests that Alaska's public saftey chief fires her ex-brother -in-law. (The ex-husband not having a job would have GREATLY helped Sarah's sister's case in the custody battle.) However, the Public Safety Chief refused to fire the ex-husband, saying there was no cause to remove him. Sarah Palin then fired the Public Safety Chief. Palin's people said she fired him over budget dissagreements, but many people directly involved say that was laughable and the real reason was plainly obvious to anyone involved. A bi-partisan inquiry was authorized by the Alaska state legislature in July, before Palin was a blip on the McCain VP radar. This isn't new news.

Also, more and more people in Alaska are speaking out. And its not in favor of their 'beloved' Governor.

"I am Jack's dissapointment..."

*sorry for the horrible Fight Club reference in the title... it was a quote of mine from this weekend..

First there was a really awesome show at a tiny venue. I was very excited. Then, somehow, the tickets were sold out before they even went on sale. I was very sad. (see title) Then, a Ticketmaster friend-of-a-friend pulled some kind of jedi-mind trick and produces tickets! Makes for a happy resolution...

Even Dave Hearts the Black Keys

I've noticed a few things about Dave Letterman that I like. To name a few:

• 1. The pencil thing he does. He hits his pencil on the table and then bounces/flips it really quickly and catches it. Watch sometime for it. I used to practice it in class. (sorry homebase) Here's the only video of it I could find, but its of him doing it really huge and not catching it. He usually keeps it real low and 'tight' and it looks like the pencil tries to jump away but he stops it.

• 2. His company or some affiliate is called "Worldwide Pants" and when the logo flashes at the end of every show, the red-headed announcer guy always says something different. And its always weird. Like... really weird. And really random. And really awesome.

• 3. He's very obvious about whether he likes the musical guests or not. Sometime its hilarious. Sometimes its awkward. But what's cool is when he obviously digs the band at the end of the set. Watch waaay till the end and see a 'Worldwide Pants' example.

Answers Requested

Flight or Invisibility? One or the other. No one else in the world has a superpower. You're the only one. Invisibility means the ability to turn transparent, your body and whatever clothes you're wearing, but not objects you pickup and you still have mass. Flight means the ability to levitate, within the earth's atmosphere, at speeds of up to 1,000 miles per hour. No super strength or invulnerability, just flight.
Which would you choose and why? No, wait. Think about it.


Which one?

"Speed and Ferocity"

The McCain campaign aired an ad a few days ago that was so dishonest and misleading, multiple stations who fact checked it refused to air it and other groups (including those with heavy GOP ties) demanded the McCain people stop airing it. They did. CBS even removed their ad from their YouTube account. It was that bad. Even bow-tie wearing pundits were ashamed of it.
What was McCain's response? Put up another dirty attack ad, skewing truths and intentionally trying to paint Obama as sexist, even though the RNC were the ones who called Palin 'hot', and the fact that she did in fact lie (or at least didn't know better) in public about Obama's record. You want to avoid sexism, right Palin? Want to be treated equally? Well, if you say something blatantly dishonest or stupid on the campaign trail, you get called out for it. Do they have politics in Alaska?
Anyways, Roscommon and I were discussing how Obama needed to ramp up his ads. Maybe not get crazy dirty, but there are several points that I feel people in America don't realize and should. That McCain has NO IDEA how 85% of Americans live their lives. He's said he, "doesn't really understand economics." that he's "still trying to learn how to use a computer to send email" and that "you're not rich in amercia until you've got $5million.'" What planet do you live on, John? (Earth.) Okay, but WHEN? 1978? How can you expect to be president when you've got no idea how to use the internet (the BIGGEST security threat in America, not terrorists....), no idea how the economy works (the BIGGEST concern for voters this term), and are completely out-of-touch with the majority of working Americans (you can just call them 'poor people' John).

Anyways, the Democrats have finally found their cajones. Thank God. (No, not that one. Ye... no, the one to the left... little more tolerance... okay, little higher, yeah that one!)

edit* The new ad is being watched so much its usually unavailable. Watch his recent speech addressing the ridiculous levels to which the McCain campaign has stooped.
People often say, "all politicians suck. They just get in office and to the same old thing either way, so who cares?" - I'll tell you why I care. The difference is this: I honestly believe in my heart that Barack Obama WILL do the things that this country needs but the powers-that-be haven't allowed. I think he'll fix our horrifically underfunded public schools. I think he'll fix our pissing-contest style foreign policy. I think he'll fix our CRIMINAL tax codes that hardly tax the rich while providing NO loopholes for the middle class. I think he'll actually break our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels. No, he may not be able to fix the whole world. But I think he'll try.

Paging Dr. Freeman....

This is a pretty cool story. Intriguing and worrisome and the same time. I think its a little ridiculous to think that it'll destroy the world, but you can't help but hesitate... Too many books and movies about scientists getting in over their heads and ending their civilizations.

Plus this particular (ha, puns...) scenario especially creeps me out. Its EXACTLY how my favorite computer game series started. With a particle smasher trying to create a black hole or 'singularity.' Lets just say, they succeeded with unintended consequences...

McCain = Charlie Brown

This is too funny. Nobody likes you Charlie Brown. And, apparently, nobody likes McCain, either...

The GOP used the song "Barracuda" by Heart to promote Sarah Palin before her speech, it has been used twice now. Heart called that same night with a cease-and-desist order. "Sarah Palin's views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song 'Barracuda' no longer be used to promote her image..." Ouch. Heart-less. (athankyou)

But the reason this is blog worthy to me is because this is not the first time McCain's camp has tried to use a song and had the artist call them up and say, "Don't ever use my songs again." John Mellencamp told them to stop using his songs, Boston did too. Jackson Brown actually filed suit against them for their use of "Running on Empty" in an anti-Obama advertisement.

Also, I think its worth noting that the McSame camp has never contacted any of these artists for permission. First time, that would have been understandable. But then they know they have to ask permission. Only, they continue to not ask for permission. Is their government going to be run the same way?

hmm...

The Republican Party Thinks You're Stupid.

There's been some stretching of the truth in politics. That's true. But the GOP has completely lost their old rich minds this past week. And they're banking on the fact that you, America, are too stupid to know the difference.

My arguments against Sarah Palin:

There have been some ridiculous arguments against Mrs. Palin, such as "how can she put her family last when she has a new autistic child and a pregnant teen daughter?" That IS a little sexist. (although its WOMEN making that argument. Women being sexist towards women. Go figure.) No one ever makes a big deal when a male candidate with a family is running for office.
No, my problems with Sarah Palin are based on her policy choices, lack of LEGITIMATE experience, and shady (yes, SHADY) background. The pundits flip shit when we try and comment on how she runs her family. Yet her policies DIRECTLY try to tell us how to raise OUR families. Smell that? Its hypocrisy.

First, her policy stances.
-Sarah Palin is 100% against the woman's right to choose. No abortion, in any case. Not in rape cases, not in incest cases, not when the mothers life is in danger. Never. Now, I'm not necessarily pro-choice, either, but that's pretty extreme. And you expect Hilary supporters to vote for her? Get real!
-Palin is extremely pro-gun. We've already got the most gun deaths per capita in the world. I get that you live in the wilderness, Sarah, but most of us live in areas with police. Let them shoot people. I'm not saying we need to go the Taiwan route and ban guns altogether, but we do need better gun control. Our country is trigger happy enough.
-Palin wants to teach creationism in schools. She wants to control what our children learn about sex and science.

While they stand there and tell us to mind our own business about how she runs her family, their policies want to give the government more control over how we raise our children than ever before. Don't tell us to back off unless you're going to do the same.

Second, her lack of legitimate experience.
Democrats started off joking that the McCain/Palin camp would try and say something ridiculous like, "she can deal with an increasingly hostile Russia, because she lives in Alaska, and Alaska is real close to Russia." Only, now its not funny. Because the GOP has made that EXACT argument FIVE TIMES NOW.
Wait, McCain... WHAT?!?! You think that she knows 'energy policy' better than ANYONE in Washington?!? Are you retarded? SHE'S A HOCKEY MOM. She has ZERO background in energy policy. There's people in Washington who've spent they're whole lives studying this subject! Are you just making this shit up as you go?
Also, John, you ARE aware that she's never been to Russia, right? She's never been outside the U.S. until last year. That's not foreign policy experience. That's barely even tourism. And the 'old boy' network that she's going to crumble? Aren't you a major part of that network, John? Whatever.

Lastly, her shady background.
I won't go into this as much, because its ongoing. But just so we're all clear, she's under investigation for essentially getting her ex-brother in law fired as a state trooper for being an asshole to her sister. "In short, she's accused of using her pull as governor to get her ex-brother-in-law fired as a state trooper. The brother-in-law is embroiled in an ugly divorce and custody with Palin's sister. And after his boss wouldn't fire the brother-in-law, she fired the boss. Palin originally insisted there was nothing to the story. More recently, she was forced to admit the one of her top deputies had pushed to get the guy fired."
You were supposed to be the governor, not the bossy sister-in-law. That's called abuse of power.

< /rant >

"I try to get up everyday, yeah...."

I'm into Hendrix, so this is interesting to me. But also because it was a show where two cultures met, realized they were different, and didn't seem to become polarized.

the summer of love

1991


1993


2004

Retreat Is NOT An Option

The Flobots show is tonight!
Sold Out show in Omaha.
Gonna be a riot of positivity and independence.
Starting the insurgency of other America.

"Professional wrestlers and Vice Presidents
want you to believe them.
The desert sky is their blue screen they superimpose
explosions, they shout at you,
'Pay no attention to the men behind the barbed curtain!
nor the craters beneath the draped flag.
Those hoods are there for your protection,
and the meteors these days are the size of corpses'
There is War going on for your mind..."

**edit 8/24**
the show was great. freakin... great. one of the more fun, intimate, and positive concerts I've ever been to. Great times.
I'm removing the old clip of Rise, and adding Roscommon's recording from our show.

Flobots - Rise @ the Waiting Room Lounge, Omaha, NE

Red Apples

If this is true, then its a seriously ballsey move by the Chinese socialist leadership. Apple has never taken well to getting screwed around with on its iTunes store, be it by the RCAA, labels, or 3rd party vendors. Now the entirety of China has been locked out the iTunes store for a week. That's a lot of lost revenue. Steve has got to be pissed.

If I was a rich man...

I have more than a few gripes with McCain. Here's the latest:
He makes jokes about things that aren't funny. Last week it was that Barack needed to 'have a sense of humor' about getting his reputation and family history bastardized and defamed. This is coming from McCain, who flipped shit when a General said that "getting shot down does not qualify someone to be president." At least that's a true statement, albeit poorly worded.
This week its that "being rich in America means you have to make more than $5 million a year." John, you obviously don't have any chance to identify with the 'American public.' Most people will never see $5 million dollars in their entire lives. This 'quip' is a perfect example of just how out-of-touch McCain is, aside from the fact that he's 'just learning to get on the Internet'. Dude, its 2008, and nearly everything we do deals with the Internet in some way. We can't have presidents in this day and age who don't understand computers (or economics).

Anyways, my favorite quote in the article linked above is the one where the reporter asks John McCain how many houses he has. McCain stammers a bit, and says he doesn't know for sure. He'd have a staffer get back to the reporter later.
So wait, wait. McCain thinks you need to have an yearly income of greater than $5million to be 'rich', and he doesn't know for sure how many homes he's got. That's not "in-touch" with America, John. I think you know a different America than most. Not everyone can dump their wives for another woman worth more than $100 million.

The McCain camp's response: "Does a guy who made more than $4 million last year, just got back from vacation on a private beach in Hawaii and bought his own million-dollar mansion with the help of a convicted felon really want to get into a debate about houses? Does a guy who worries about the price of arugula and thinks regular people 'cling' to guns and religion in the face of economic hardship really want to have a debate about who's in touch with regular Americans?"

Clever. Very clever. This is called a 'red-herring' defense. Its got nothing to do with the main point of the argument: That McCain doesn't even know how many houses he's got. Its intended to misdirect the audience to a different topic. In this case, its distorting some truths, and the rest is just fuckin' made up.
First off, $4mil isn't 'Rich' by McCain's own standards. You caught yourself in your own jacked up logic. Strike 1.
Second - Hawaii doesn't have any private beaches. He stayed with relatives and kicked around on the same beach as the rest of the public. McCain types probably just assume EVERYBODY'S got some private beach somewhere. Well, not in Hawaii. Strike 2.
Third, even if Rezko is a scumbag, he in the real estate biz, and I'd like you to show me an oilman or a realtor that is 100% squeaky clean. Their job is already shady. Rezko mades deals on tons of houses in Chicago, one of them just happened to be Obama's. Either way, Obama's got ONE HOUSE. He knows where it is, what the address is, the phone number, etc. That's still way more normal that McCain's clan who doesn't know how many houses they have, much less where they are. Strike 3.
Lastly, we've heard the 'clinging to guns' quote before. Do you guys have anything else? Or yes, you do - you used that last sentence to twist some kind of red-neck knife (or shiv?) with the comment about arugula. Now you also resent the fact that he's a health nut? Jeez, that's not even relevant. Strike 4.

You got 4 strikes in a two sentence response, McCain camp. That's not very good. You get an F for the day.

Sad Story

Let me tell you a story about ships... and whales....

We Rise Together

"Don't let apathy police the populace
We will march across
Those stereotypes that were marked for us
The answers obvious
We switch the consonants
Change the sword to words and lift continents"

Roscommon and I made the decision to make the trip to O-town to see The Flobots play this Friday. Can't wait.

Since I'm feeling political -
Did anybody see the newest ad from the McCain camp? Yes, its still negative. C'mon, you think McCain has anything new to say? Have you heard the guy try and speak in public? Sadly, the negative campaigning is actually their best bet.
Anyways, here's the McCain camp's newest gem:

That's right. You shouldn't vote for Obama because "he's too good looking." And no one who's attractive is intelligent, right? This is the 'debate on the issues' that McCain professes to want so bad? I hope the 'straight talk express' has a sleeper car, because that sounds boring as hell.
But here's the best part of this story. The original ad featured a clip of Mike Myers and Dana Carvey of Wayne's World saying "We're not worthy". Myers called the McCain campaign and told them to remove him and his copywritten material from their ad. The McCain campaign came back with this:
""Obama's celebrity friends are bringing their considerable resources to bear in this election... threatening this campaign with legal action over our latest ad, Fan Club... Apparently, we are not, in fact, worthy."
No, sir, you are NOT worthy. Mainly because you stole copywritten material and used it without asking the owners' permission. They violated copyright laws, then criticized the artist for exercising that right. Great image. This is the attitude of the current administration that I'm sick of, and apparently McSame feels the same way. They're called laws. You have to obey them. Even you, John.

By the way, since I'm ranting - Everyone and their dog has heard about John Edward's affair by now. What I find interesting is how some people are already saying his carrer is finished because of it. That's fine. Maybe it is. But, um, apparently people have forgotten that McCain cheated on his first wife for YEARS. This is the wife that stayed married to him while he was in that camp in Vietnam for 5 years that he won't let us forget about. Then he left her for a much much much much richer and younger woman. Nobody remembers that story? I'm not saying this excuses ANYONE. I just wanted to be fair.

never gonna let you down

This is awesome. Found it at this blog. She's irish, witty, and a good blogger.

Slainte

My brother does cool things. Don't tell him, though. He'd be mortified if people knew he had hobbies...

This was a Hot Topic standard black cuff. $6

I had Roscommon work his tagging magic and then shellac'd it to protect the silver ink and to give it a gloss look.

"Slainte" (pronounced "Slahn-cha" ) is a common toast used in Ireland and Scotland. It's Gaelic and translates roughly to "Health."

iPod Shuffle

Some people at work had been wanting to do an iPod swap day for a while now, so I organized an "iPod Shuffle" day. People had to make a playlist of 25-30 songs then come to work and trade with someone else. Here's my playlist:

1) Girl, You Have No Faith In Medicine - The White Stripes

2) 8:16 AM - 311

3) Wires & Wool - The Envy Corps

4) Atoms - Cashes Rivers

5) There Is A War Going On For Your Mind / Stand Up - Flobots

6) I'm Ready - Jack's Mannequin

7) The District Sleeps Alone Tonight - The Postal Service

8) Consolers Of The Lonely - The Raconteurs

9) CHBB - Speechwriters LLC

10) Call It Off - Tegan & Sara

11) Heart of Life - John Mayer

12) Arc Of Time - Bright Eyes

13) Hospital Beds - Cold War Kids

14) Set You Free - The Black Keys

15) The Radiator Hums - Cursive

16) The New Year - Death Cab For Cutie

17) The Story So Far - New Found Glory

18) Know Your Enemy - Rage Against The Machine

19) Some Devil - Dave Matthews

20) Touch The Sky - Kanye West

21) Power To Love - A Band Of Gypsys (Jimi Hendrix)

22) Do You Miss Me - Lucky Boys Confusion

23) Split Needles - The Shinds

24) King Without A Crown - Matisyahu

25) Testify - Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble

26) Purpose - 311

miT

Tim Mahoney is easily one of my top 3 favorite guitarists. Tim's the lead guitarist for 311, a band that started out in Omaha, NE. I won't go into how much I freakin LOVE 311, nearly every one of their songs, their sound, and their philosophy. I've done that here before.
This post deals with my latest project, a replica of Tim's main guitar of the last 5 years or so. Its a PRS standard 24 in a custom light blue color and tiki mask inlay on the headstock. Its name is "Blue". Here's a few pics of the original: I just got a Saga HT kit for a STEAL on the eBay. These are low-quality kits for beginners, but this kit didn't have any instructions in it. Score for me, I don't need them. The body type is almost exactly the same as the PRS sytle above, and the headstock will be close. I'll be painting the body Sonic Blue, the closest match to the Blue above I could find. I'll also be using different 'guts.' The kit's electronics are shabby at best. I'll be using zebra humbucking pickups, to match Tim's guitar circa 1995-2002, my favorite era (note the diffent colored pickups in the last pic versus the more recent pics above it). I'll also be upgrading the tuners, pots, knobs, and switch. Which, really, is everything other than the bridge. This is the first non-stratocaster build I've ever really tried. We'll see how it goes. I'll have a post in a few days when the color coat is on and clear coated. The neck is going to be the hardest part anyways.

the future's for discovering / the space in which we travel in

I'm going to get better about blogging. I've been slacking. I've got a few builds finishing up here soon, one more fix up, and a new guitar style build coming up, as well as a few theme parties, t-shirt making, and "band practice" in the upcoming weeks.

More Confesssions:

But I still think The Black Keys could be one of the best things on the planet right now. Blues-rock. Loud. Just two people. Cool guitars. Smart name.

Confession:

I like Paramore. So what? Yes, they're mainstream. Yes, they have a female lead. Yes, she has orange hair. No, red hair. Wait, its both now.

Cool staccato riffs and timed stops. Dynamic drumming. Teen angst. A tiny little girl with a gigantic voice. I like all those things. Just don't tell anyone.

and Hayley is a plus, too.





v

despite the devil

I got the chance to work on a friend's guitar recently.

It was (at one point) an olympic white MIM telecaster. It had an extended career with a guitarist in a popular local band, and had obviously been beat to hell. Teles are pretty stout to begin with, they're solid blocks of alder with the neck bolted on in 4 places with no tremolo routes or other weak spots. They're tanks. This specific tele looked as if it had been smashed on-stage multiple times and then repaired and played again, then smashed again. There were (and are) huge cracks and gouges out of the sides and corners of the thick Poly finish, from swinging it by the neck into amps, cabs, or the ground. Weather checking along the forearm rest from constant temperature changes. The control cavity shorted out if you pressed too hard. A control knob was missing. The guitar "hummed" loudly through amps when not even being played. The strings were ancient.

My friend had acquired this guitar and wanted to see if it could be fixed or if it was junk. A good once-over was all it took to see that not only could I probably fix it - It could probably be a seriously nice guitar. It was once, it could be again.

Here's the guitar in its "day". Its the white guitar being used for lead electric, in the frame for most of the clip:


So I totally disassembled it, clipped all the electronics apart, and cleaned it as best as I could. The neck in particular was a very nice neck, lightly flamed maple and a dark rosewood fretboard that cleaned up and got even darker with some lemon & bore oil. I shielded the body cavity and pickguard with conductive copper tape and re-soldered all the pickups, pots, and switch and re-assembled it. I got to play it for about 20 mins before I had to take it back. It sounded fantastic - no shorting out, no hum... A solid guitar. Its still got the beat up look to it and will for the rest of its life, but it plays smooth, sounds great, and looks cool. Here's a few pictures I mangaged to snap.
*click for bigger photos*

The definition of 'contempt'

I hate Karl Rove. He's the perfect icon for the Administration he used to work for. The chief scoff-law in an Administration full of scoff-laws. Mr. Rove is also nothing short of a political genius, too, which makes me hate him all the more.

This picture was too priceless and well framed to not include. Karl Rove was subpoenaed by Congress to testify on the questionable dismissal of several federal prosecutors. Bushy didn't want him to testify and Rove now claims that some kind of executive privilege or presidential something-or-other that means he doesn't have to testify to Congress.

Ahem.

The separation of powers. Checks and Balances. Rove, I know you know this. There's nothing that trumps a Congressional subpoena. They can subpoena the effing President if they want to. Get your ass in that chair.

Its seriously time to hold this Administration and their buddies accountable. They aren't kings, and its time the rule of law held some weight again.

Karl Rove missed subpoena. I want him arrested. Held in contempt. Stop pissing on the constitution.

YOU PEOPLE ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW. These powers were listed in the constitution as specific checks to your own powers. You can't trump them. They're un-trump-able. This is what they're for.

Pelosi better have the nuts to hold him in contempt. Its time out Democratic Congress acted like they have a backbone.

Vanessa Carlton

I've had a not so secret crush on Vanessa Carlton since high school. Piano rock is the coolest, and so are female singer songwriters that play it. She's in DSM this week, and you can be damn sure I'll be there.

our signal

an except from:
"We are winning"
-The Flobots

We are building up a new world.
Do not sit idly by.
Do not remain neutral.
Do not rely on this broadcast alone.
We are only as strong as our signal.
There is a war going on for your mind.
If you are thinking, you are winning.
Resistance is victory.
Defeat is impossible.
Your weapons are already in hand.
Reach within you and find the means by which to gain your freedom.
Fight with tools.
Your fate, and that of everyone you know
Depends on it.

"There is a fight going on for your mind - if you're thinking, you're winning..."

Only in Texas

Can 1st degree murder be aquitted as self-defence. Joe Horn is a murderer, hiding behind the sham of righteous self defence.

This is a perfect story of Texas attitudes meet modern civilizaition. This is why the 2nd amendment grants the rights to firearms to QUALIFIED state militias, not any cowboy wannabe with a violent streak and a heart full of hate.

Here's the link to the AP story. Essentially, Joe Horn saw two men climbing out the window of his neighbors house with bags. The two men were illegal immigrants and, yes, they were burglarizing his neighbors house. That's a crime. But here's what's interesting. Joe had enough time to call 911. During this phone call, he told the operator that he had a shotgun and was going outside to shoot them and to send the authorities. The operator pleaded with him to stay in the house, the police were already on their way.
"You want to make a bet?" Horn answered. "I'm going to kill them."
After the shooting, he redialed 911.
"I had no choice," he said, his voice shaking. "They came in the front yard with me, man. I had no choice. Get somebody over here quick."
Horn had shot both men in the BACK with a 12 guage shotgun. Both men were unarmed.

Now, those are the facts. Here's where I get op/ed on you:
Horn's lawyers plead that he had 'no choice' and acted in self defence. My problem with that is that Horn was told repeatedly to stay in his home by the 911 operator. He refused, and told the operator that he was going outside to kill them. I'm sorry, Joe, even if they're criminals, you're not the law, and that's called premeditated murder.
So you went outside with your mind set on killing them. I'm not sure what part of "self-defence" involves shooting two unarmed men in the fucking BACK with a shotgun... but apparently Texas is still shoot first and ask questions later territory.
You didn't have to go outside and confront them. You'd already done your part. You notified the police. That's all you should have done. It wasn't your house, they weren't threatening you, even when you went outside with a gun. Obviously they'd turned their backs to you. Right before you killed them both. God Bless America, right?

Here's where it becomes obvious that I'm a liberal, not a conservative -
I just don't see why you killed them, Joe. Shoot into the air, shoot AT them, scare them off, whatever... I just don't think that unloading both barrells into unarmed men for a few hundred dollars worth of SHIT makes any sense. The owner of the house had insurance, he can replace his SHIT - these two men had families, friends, etc. Yes, they were committing a crime... a crime they would have gone to jail for a few years for. They were stealing materalistic SHIT. You stole their lives.

Texas may have different attitudes about justice than most of the world - Here's to hoping they've got a different God as well...

cause by any religion I can think of - you're going to hell, Joe.
I'm guessing Hernado Torres and Diego Ortiz will be there waiting for you.

These Go To 11...

I'd heard about this clip from the movie: This Is Spinal Tap, but never actually seen it until today. Its pretty hilarious. Funnier if you play guitars or go to places with people like this guy.
My favorite part of this clip is the very last bit, when he's talking about his amplifier.
"As you can see, all the numbers go up to 11"
"Is that louder?"
"Well, its one louder, isn't it?"



Priceless.
Only, I can do one better...

My amp goes to 12 -->

Cashes Rivers

From one music post to yet another:

I had the chance to play on a few street corners and skywalks with a friend of mine a while back. Matt's got some serious talent with a pen. (that's assuming he writes his songs down. I'm not sure that he does.) He's a younger guy - just graduated high school - but already has one band, Vessel Grey, and is just finishing recording a side-project/concept album/solo project. He was cool enough to let me record some guitar tracks on a song titled Atoms.

Cashes Rivers: The Trees Will Clap For Us



Vessel Grey is worth checking out as well. Also Matt's songs. The links to both myspaces are above.

*Matt, if you read this post, don't let it go to your head. You suck.

The Ministry

I've posted on these guys before, so this may not be news to my readership. Some friends of mine from the Hickory Park days started a wrock band a little over a year ago. There are quite a few wrock bands, and I have to admit that most of them are pretty terrible. I can stomach about 5 of them. These guys are definitely my favorite, and it actually has nothing to do with the fact that I know them. Luke's previous work as Tillerman was pretty amazing and Aaron and Jason's previous band 38th Parallel was pretty solid as well. Aaron and I had some pretty in-depth philosophical conversations concerning the world of Harry Potter. (at the bar no less. Cubbies? No. Lakers? Thanks, but no. Racing? Hells no. Harry Potter?! Sign me UP!)
Anyways their band, The Ministry of Magic, had put out an EP exactly a year ago yesterday with some family favorites such as "Snape vs. Snape" and "The Hero." Now they have a brand new full length album, Goodbye Privet Drive, available for purchase. I stopped into Flourish & Blotts to pick up my copy the last time I was in Diagon Alley.
Personal favorites: The Bravest Man I Ever Knew, Phoenix Lament/Epilogue, Sonorous Love, Goodbye Privet Drive, and others. Basically this album is going to rock, er, wrock.

Also, just click the link above and look at their MySpace. Its really well done. I LOVE their pictures at the top. If you don't read Harry Potter, you won't get why those pictures are awesome. Or why some of these new songs have some serious emotional content.

Authority of the Body

Something that won't make water cooler talk today, but could be one of the biggest milestones in moving past the audacities of the Bush Administration and back to the Rule of Law.

Back in 2006, the Bush Administration quietly passed a resolution through a Republican House and Republican Senate which, among other things, suspended the writ of habeas corpus. Most people aren't even aware of what this right is because its been taken for granted in the US. Its expected. Possibly because its been the backbone of every legitimate government since 1305. Essentially, the writ of habeas corpus provides that ANYONE being held in detention by their government has the right to be brought before the court with their detainers, "allowing the court to determine whether that custodian has lawful authority to hold that person, or, if not, the person should be released from custody." Long story short, if your government throws you in jail, you have the right to a court hearing where the custodians bear the 'burden of proof' to prove they have the legal authority to keep you. If they cannot, you're a free man.
So, in 2006, our government suspended that right, so they could keep detainees at Guantanamo Bay indefinitely without charging them. This is after the fact they were deemed not to be P.O.W.s, but enemy combatants, and therefore do not have a right to a trial, but only a military tribunal, which is VERY different. You don't have the right to see the charges brought against you, among other things. So really, how do you build a defense against charges you aren't allowed to see? And that's on top of the fact that these tribunals don't have to be open to the public, the accused do NOT have a right to a lawyer (a military lawyer is appointed for them), the accused DO NOT have a right to see the evidence against them, and the ruling can't be appealed to federal courts. If the tribunal isn't going the way the military likes, they have the right to end it permanently at any time without explanation. And the best for last: The military which has been holding the accused are the Judge, the Jury, and even the final appeal petition goes to who? Oh, the president. At no point in this process do they EVER have an impartial review. Even an acquittal does not guarantee release.

However, today the Supreme Court has overturned that ruling from 2006 that suspended Habeas Corpus, and has said that the detainees DO have the right a full judicial review for their detention. I'm not pro-terrorist, I'm just anti-locking people up and throwing away the key. If we've got a good reason to be holding them, fine. Go nuts. But if we can't come up with a legitimate reason for detaining people.... Is this a 'free country' by the people for the people or is it not? Does the government have the right to put you in jail and not charge you or grant you any chance for appeal?

Gasp!

Sweet, delicious internet!! You're back! Allow me to pause while I savor the flow of information saturated in knowledge....
Actually, I sorta wondered what the internet would actually look like. Net-like, I presumed. So, out of curiosity, I Google image searched for "The Internet" (search engines aren't case sensitive, but I still did it for effect. Actually, I even put it in the quotes. ) This picture was the #1 hit for that search. And honestly, I guess that really what it WOULD look like. Crazy.

How I know...

Saw this clip on the TV box a few days ago and was happily relieved that the new unreleased (take that Bob B.) Coldplay album has at least two tracks that I know I like.
I'm learning to play it on guitar, it could be the easiest song I've tried to learn it years. There's only 4 chords the entire song, and it never changes. But there's fun marching drums, cellos, and BELLS! You KNOW you want to like it....

iSkins poll

So I decided that my iPod needs a little pick-me-up for summer. Its been plain-jane white for a long time now. Here are the, ahem, few choices I'm deciding between.

Ink Pond

Turn Table

Underworld (sorry, I'm in a Steampunk phase)

Vichy Green

Dharma Initiative (for LOST fans)

B&W Fleur

Compass (really, I just like the back)

Vote for your favorite(s) in the poll to the right. Polls close this Friday at midnight. No re-counts, no half-delegates, and no rules committees here!

Overdubbing

Better than 'find the saltine'

A few weeks ago, I graveled Roscommon. We got a pretty good laugh out of it.
A few seconds ago, I just had to shake several rocks out of my shoe. I guess that makes us even.
For those of you who aren't die hard Scrubs fans, here's where it came from:

Next vote wins

Ha. Oh, the Onion. Good stuff.
Desperate Hillary To Obama: 'Next Vote Wins'

I still think its ludicrous that people actually think that she's in this "for the people." I think people have forgotten that was all for stripping MI/FL of their delegates last year, then when she won both states, she suddenly wants them seated. For the people, though. Of course it has nothing to do with being her ONLY hope of being competitive with Obama again.

I honestly think she's doing this knowing that she's lost this year. She's attempting to ruin Obama, leading McCain to the white house, and paving her way for 2012.

But, of course, she's for the people.

Stupid, blind, people.

in other news....

aside from all my political ranting lately. (I'm sorry everybody, but this is the only place I have to vent it anymore.)

I also got a bunch of new music recently! Good stuff, too.

Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs

The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely (video)

Jason Mraz - We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

wow.

Just when I thought I was done. It gets better.
Bill Clinton. Where do you get off? Seriously. We've endured and been MORE than accommodating for your theatrics and shenanigans for YEARS.
I think you need to re-think your choice of words; or do you think people have forgotten? The biggest embarrassment the Democratic Party has had in the last 30 years was YOU. Getting articles of impeachment filed against you. Committing perjury under oath. Receiving a sexual act from an intern in the oval office while your WIFE was in the White House. THAT'S embarrassing. What's happened in MI/FL is called tough love. Yes, those delegates need to be counted at some point, somehow. But the facts are this: both campaigns have declined plans to seat MI delegates. Both plans were unfair. So "don't pretend" to be on some mythical moral high-ground, Mr. Clinton.

I guess I still don't see how in the hell you'd ever seat the MI delegates. Hillary ran uncontested! Barak's name wasn't even on the ballot! Of course she won. I can beat the Boston Celtic's in the finals single-handedly, too. IF THEY DON'T SHOW UP. Its easy to win when there's nobody competing against you. Duh.

Rant to end all Rants.

*if you're sick of my political ranting lately, feel free to skip reading this post.*


This is my tipping point, Mrs. Clinton.
You're done. You've lost. You can't win without over-ruling a majority of your own party. 54+% of them already say that they don't trust you at all. You've been demanding that MI and FL delegates be seated. A ridiculous demand, equivalent to a snotty pampered rich girl stamping her foot that she MUST have that pony, even though she has no where to keep it. What I've never understood is WHY she thinks MI/FL primaries should count. The DNC said, 'you move up your dates, we won't count your delegates.' They did, and their delegates aren't going to be counted. Going back on that now will make the DNC the new UN. Tons of authority, but no one actually does what they tell them too.
Hillary's argument was that the people of MI/FL's voices must be heard. Not a terrible point, we don't want big states to be disgruntled in November. But your new stance since your ass-whooping in NC and your Rush Limbaugh-assisted win in IN goes too far. Keep in mind that Obama's name WASN'T EVEN ON THE BALLOT in Michigan. How's that fair, princess?

"Mrs. Clinton has insisted that Michigan's 128 pledged delegates be seated according to the state's Jan. 15 primary results, giving her 73 delegates (and Mr. Obama zero). Mr. Obama has suggested an even 64-64 split.
The compromise, drafted by four prominent Democrats, would split the difference between what each candidate wants, awarding 69 delegates to Mrs. Clinton and 59 to Mr. Obama.
The Obama campaign said yesterday that it would "seriously consider" the plan, which was crafted by Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Michigan, United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger and Democratic National Committee member Debbie Dingell.
"The fact that Senator Clinton has flatly rejected the wishes of Michigan Democrats proves that her position on this matter was apparently never about principle or the people of Michigan, but about whatever political calculation benefits Senator Clinton," Mr. Vietor said.

Mrs. Clinton is now purposefully preying on the uneducated, er- sorry, "Blue Collar" (see also: Rednecks, degenerates, ignorant simpletons, etc.) voters in those states. Portraying this as a scenario of 'they're trying to rob you of your vote!' rather than the truth of 'your state gave the finger to the national DNC leaders and want to not get in trouble for it'. Its subtle, its sneaky, its underhanded, and 100% Clintonian. Effectively, she's made this a situation where only she can win those states in November, as they're obviously going to be displeased with the people who made them 'stay in from recess.' (ie: the DNC and Obama.)
The worst part is, you're further diving the party into intelligent people and ignorant retards (I'm done beating around the bush. You're a large portion of the country, but you're still the lowest common denominator and I don't think we need to pander to your simple xenophobic ideas. We've had 8 years of that.). People realize now that you don't ACTUALLY want the good people of MI and FL to have a voice. You turned down the compromise provided by MI which still gave you more delegates. You've shown your colors to those who can read and think for themselves. You don't want them to have a voice unless that voice is 73 delegates for you and 0 for Obama, whose name was not an option on the ballot. (which STILL leaves Obama ahead.)
Its enough that you ran a dirty campaign with your own money, tarnishing one of our best candidates in years, so you can have a pout-fit. Grow the F-CK UP, Hillary. Save your money. It wasn't bad enough already, now you're obviously not the Democratic nominee, and all you're doing is slowly ruining the party's chances in the fall. Stop being such a selfish little witch and step down. I've had it with you. Your mentor's had it with you. The DNC chair's had it with you. Its already starting, but people are still being 'nice' about it. Continue the course you're on, and I think people will stop being nice. I'm done with being nice. You're hurting our country. Stop pandering to the worst part of our population. There's a reason they like you. They don't know any better.

Hell, lets make up a new state and give you all their fake delegates, too. West Montana. 56 delegates to Hillary. 1 for Obama. He didn't do well in West Montana.

Zune, just give up.

As if the Zune wasn't unpopular enough. The Zune is already a vastly inferior .mp3 player, and Microsoft is already the tech-industry equivilant of the Bush Administration, telling you to be quiet and 'don't worry, we know whats best for you.' Now they're even further limiting what kind of files can and can't be played on this player. Might as well just come with a jacked up copy of Windows Vista (which, of course, was WAY too big to run smoothly on your computer. So you downgraded back to Windows XP, only to find that Microsoft has paid all vendors to not support XP anymore so you HAVE to use Vista. Thanks, Microsoft, but this isn't Communist Russia, and my next computer purchase will be a Mac). The Zune does have one good purpose, though.
A paperweight. To keep the papers at your desk neatly stacked while you listen to you iPod.

Props to the Platypus

Dude. All I have to say is: Electro-reception. That's pretty awesome, Platypus-es.
Our family has been pro-strange animals for as long as I can remember. Roscommon's giant stuffed anteater, (which has ironically been replaced by a giant stuffed penguin) books about echidnas, koala bears, sloths, etc.

...I still want a pet koala. I'd hold it. Pet it. Feed it a leaf. Sic it on my cuddly-animal-hating friends.

Hillary Vs. The Coffee Maker

This was just too funny to me. After all the 'elitist' comments, the arguments that she's been 'better vetted' than Obama...
Hillary hasn't gotten her own coffee in years. Or the machine is broken. Either way, I got a laugh out of it.
(no this isn't relevent, but I figure with all the negative ads against Barak, she can take it.)

Full Court Press vs. Kitchen Sink

I never really understood how people got "aloof and distant" from Barak Obama. Maybe he 'misspoke' when he mentioned the small town statement that has become a favorite line of his opponents. Personally, being from a small town myself, I don't think he could have been more correct. No its not 100% accurate to say that everyone from a small town 'clings to guns, religion, and xenophobia,' but a damn good portion of them do. Numbers don't lie, but people do. I would have gone even farther to suggest that the biggest fear/problem concerning small towns is the apathy and active ignorance. The idea of, "I don't know and it doesn't affect me, so why should I be informed about it? I'd stick out too much if I'm too informed or smart around here." That's what leads people to only 'cling' to what they already know. There's no room for new ideas or dialogue with opposing interests, just more of the same. Sorry that's another rant...

Here's something that I've always liked about Obama that I never understood why they didn't promote more of. Now it looks like its his camp's new angle to shift the focus before Indiana and North Carolina. It'll never get as much press time as Wright (the MSM just doesn't wanna hear that many happy stories. They want DIRT. alas) but I'll do my part.

Link to the story.

Recently Seen...

in the Onion.

Badly Injured Man Not Done Partying Yet
and
Small Town Hold Annual Gay Shame Parade
and
Computer Being Stupid

Last week this made me laugh out loud:
Chinese Class Clown Executed

u suck dot com

The best kind of hate is useless and nonsensical.


Some readers may recall my particular aversion to YouTube comments. I think that they are an infinite abyss into which an intelligent person can be sucked into reading, open-mouthed, page after page of ridiculous bullshit. Who are you people? Don't procreate.



**you should be able to click on the image to see full sized. rather than link, I just pasted an image, so you should be safe.

New Links

I added a few new links to my Links List on the sidebar. Check them out sometime.

*Hard to Find a Friend:
This guy's blog is usually about music, and aside from that, its just one guys opionin/editorial blog to post whatever he's thinking about music that day. New bands, old bands with new albums, iPods, playlists, etc. There's usually a free download or two in each post, which is cool.
Check out one of his recent posts on playlists.

*Stuff White People Like:
This guys blog focuses on an ongoing project. Figuring out, listing, and pointing out the things that white people like. Its pretty damn funny. And usually very accurate.
My favorites from the SWPL list:
#20 Being an expert on YOUR culture.
#14 Having black friends.
#62 Knowing whats best for poor people.

The Greatest Page in the Universe:
Homebase, you're not going to like this one. But I think its hilarious. Very sarcastic, very immature, but very intelligent and well-informed at the same time. And funny. He used to post a lot more, but he's growing up like everyone else. This guy either IS or is JUST LIKE the kid who did realultimatepower.net and single-handedly rekindled the Ninja vs. Pirate debate.
I recommend checking out his views on:
Crappy Kids Drawings #1 and #2
One thing PC users can do that Mac users can't
My new favorite: How to Kill Yourself Like a Man



* referal credit goes to Roscommon

Bruce

The Boss endorsed Obama today.



How Springsteen got the nickname "The Boss" according to Wikipedia:

"Springsteen has long had the nickname "The Boss," a term which he was initially reported to dislike but now seems to have come to terms with, as he sometimes jokingly refers to himself as such on stage. The nickname originated when a young Springsteen, playing club gigs with a band in the 1960s, took on the task of collecting the band's nightly pay and distributing it amongst his bandmates."

Strange.

I bought a Pepsi?
Consiously. Not even as a 2nd choice.
After 3 years of solid dedication to Mt. Dew (with the occasional Coke or Mr. Pibb extra), I felt like I needed to try something else.

Sports! (Gloating)

The Black Keys

Its rare that the iPod frame of my blog is two of the same band.
Sold Out show at the Slowdown - Thursday April 10th

The Black Keys



quotes from the "Your Touch" video above:
"so, how do you feel? ya know, about being dead?"
"I dunno. ...My neck hurts. How about you? You didn't look to great up there"
"Yeah.... well, at least I died doing what I love. Ya know? Lip-synching."